Astoria Gatineau Review – Creative Vegan Cuisine with Standout Dishes and a Few Misses – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Astoria Restaurant Overview
80 Prom. du Portage, Gatineau, QC J8X 2K1
Astoria, located in Gatineau, is one of our favourite vegan restaurants in the area. From the moment you walk in, you notice how nice the space looks, with a modern and comfortable atmosphere. The staff are very friendly, and service comes with the added bonus of being highly attentive to allergies, which shows real care for their patrons.
The restaurant sits beside a paid parking lot, which makes it convenient for those driving in, though it’s not free like some other suburban locations. Astoria is also known for offering a brunch menu in addition to its regular service, adding to its appeal for weekend visits.
What sets Astoria apart is the creativity of its vegan menu. Each dish is crafted with care, using plant-based ingredients in inventive ways to mimic or reimagine classic comfort foods. While not every dish hits the mark, the overall quality is consistently high, making it a reliable spot whether you’re vegan or simply curious about the cuisine.
Would return? Yes.
Arancini
😋 Enjoyment: 8/10
💰 Price Paid: $19
🎯 Benchmark Price: $15
📊 EV Score: 6.3/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
The arancini came as three fried risotto balls, stuffed with mushrooms and peas, served with marinara, vegan parmesan, pickled onion, and pea shoots. The texture was excellent — crispy on the outside, warm and soft inside. The flavour was satisfying, though the portion felt small for the price. Delicious, but the value could be better.
Taco Salad
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $24
🎯 Benchmark Price: $24
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
This was one of the strongest dishes. The greens, cilantro lime vinaigrette, sweet chili “chicken,” pico de gallo, guacamole, tortilla chips, and chipotle aioli came together beautifully. The salad was hearty, filling, and flavourful, with generous portions of each ingredient. Everything melded well, and it felt balanced. Definitely something I’d order again.
Butter “Chicken” Burrito
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $26
🎯 Benchmark Price: $22
📊 EV Score: 5.1/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
The burrito was very filling, packed with rice, vegan butter chicken, romaine, house dressing, and pickled jalapeños, served with fries and aioli. The fries were crispy and tasty, and the burrito itself was well-constructed and stuffed generously. The only downside was the price, which felt high for what’s essentially a burrito meal. Good flavour, but not a must-order every time.
Green Coconut Curry
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $28
🎯 Benchmark Price: $25
📊 EV Score: 4.9/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
This was the weakest dish. The curry, made with Thai basil, soufflé tofu, sautéed vegetables, and jasmine rice, had a thicker consistency than expected and didn’t quite feel like a traditional green curry. While it wasn’t inedible, it lacked the freshness and balance that makes green curry so enjoyable. A miss compared to other offerings.
“Steak” Frites
😋 Enjoyment: 7.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $39
🎯 Benchmark Price: $39
📊 EV Score: 7.5/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
This dish showcased lion’s mane mushrooms marinated in beetroot, served with hand-cut fries, aioli, and demi-glace. The mushrooms were the star — tender, meaty, and richly spiced, with a generous portion size. The fries were crispy and well-seasoned, and the aioli was excellent. The demi-glace poured over the mushrooms tied the dish together. Easily one of the highlights.
New York Style “Cheesecake”
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $16
🎯 Benchmark Price: $16
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
The vegan cheesecake was impressive. Made with vanilla bean vegan cream cheese, blueberry compote, biscoff, crumble crust, sweet basil, and lemon zest, it tasted almost indistinguishable from a traditional cheesecake. The blueberry compote and biscoff base added richness and brightness, making it a great dessert.
Lemon Meringue Tart
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $14
🎯 Benchmark Price: $14
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
This dessert was refreshing and well-balanced, featuring aquafaba meringue, lemon curd, almond crust, and blueberry coulis. The tart was soft and easy to eat, with just enough tang to keep it light and satisfying. A lovely way to end the meal.
Final Thoughts
Astoria in Gatineau is a creative vegan restaurant that delivers high-quality, carefully prepared dishes. The staff are friendly, the space is stylish, and the menu is both inventive and allergy-conscious. While a few items (like the green coconut curry) didn’t impress, most of the dishes — particularly the taco salad, steak frites, and vegan desserts — showed off the strengths of the kitchen.
Though slightly pricey, the quality and creativity justify it. Whether you’re vegan or not, Astoria is worth visiting for a fresh, plant-based dining experience.